§ 13. Mr. A. HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government adhere to the interpretation placed upon Article 16 contained in the collective note to Germany, initialled at Locarno 16th October, 1925, to the effect that each State member of the League is bound to resist any active aggression to an extent which is compatible with its military situation?
§ Mr. EDENIn the passage of the collective note to which the hon. Member refers regarding the interpretation of Article 16 of the Covenant, the signatories stated that the obligations resulting from the said Article on the Members of the League must be understood to mean that each State member of the League is bound to co-operate loyally and effectively in support of the Covenant, and in resistance to any act of aggression to an extent which is compatible with its military situation and takes its geographical position into account. His Majesty's Government abide by that interpretation.
§ Mr. HENDERSONWere the terms of this collective note before the meeting of the Council in October when Italy was declared the aggressor against Abyssinia, and, if so, why have not the terms been carried out?
§ Mr. EDENThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The passage to which he refers could only involve military action if the Council had made a recommendation to that effect under paragraph (2) of Article 16. The Council did not make any such recommendation.